The American Catholic Church in the contemporary urban realm (Vatican II)

The role of the Catholic Church as an institution in the city is one which has not been successfully exploited in this country. The transformation of the church after the Second Vatican Council relied on a direct relationship between functionalism in architecture and liturgical reform. This singular translation of liturgy into built form led to an exclusive reading of the church as embodying only liturgy. As the post-Vatican II church solely emphasized liturgy, it turned inward, away from its public identity. The post Vatican II church no longer participates in the public realm. The American Catholic church has been lost as public institution. The relationship between the church and the city must be examined with respect to the condition of the post Vatican II church and the contemporary city